Gripping riding spurs

ABSTRACT

A spur which enables a rider to effectively grip the horse with the spur so that the rider can better retain balance on the horse without any possibility of injuring the horse. The spur adapted to slip on over a boot comprises: a U shaped boot contacting member sized to fit closely around the boot, said U shaped member having a rear and horse side portion; and, a C shaped horse contacting member having opposite ends attached to the C shaped member; and, a central portion substantially spaced and extending outwardly from the rear and horse side portion of the U shaped member; so that the rounded body of a horse may be concurrently engaged by the spur and the knee of a rider. In a preferred aspect of the invention the C shaped member has a rear and horse side portion having upright slots there around to grip a horse. These upright slots have a width which is sufficient to grip hair on a horse, but which is insufficient to grab and tear skin on a horse.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to equestrian equipment. More particularly this invention relates to an effective spur with which it is virtually impossible to mistreat a horse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The applicants work with horses in rodeo events, as well as young and novice riders who are training for rodeo events. In rodeo events such as the barrel race it is particularly important to have a spur which enables the rider to effectively grip the horse so that the rider can retain balance on the horse. The problem with using conventional spurs to grip and retain balance on the horse is that they can excessively dig into and injure the horse. What is needed is a spur which even under extreme conditions—such as a desperate rider twisting around the horse prior to falling—does not allow the rider to excessively dig into and injure the horse. The spur must also extend adequately from the rider's boot to enable the rider to effectively grip the rounded body of the horse concurrently with both their knees and the spur so that they can retain their balance.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of this invention to disclose a spur which is designed to grip the horse for balance without injuring the horse. It is an object of this invention to disclose a spur which has adequate extension from the boot so that the rounded body of the horse can be concurrently gripped with both the spur and the knees of a rider. It is yet a further object of this invention to disclose a spur having a gripping surface which grips the horse a maximal amount without the possibility of enabling an inexperienced rider to cut or otherwise tear the flesh of the horse even under extreme conditions. It is a final object of this invention to disclose a method of illuminating the spur for show purposes, said disclosed spur having a design which is readily adaptable to controlled illumination.

[0004] One aspect of this invention provides for an equestrian spur adapted to slip on over a boot comprising: a U shaped boot contacting member sized to fit closely around the boot, said U shaped member having a rear and horse side portion; and, a C shaped horse contacting member having opposite ends attached to the C shaped member and having a central portion substantially spaced and extending outwardly from the rear and horse side portion of the U shaped member. The rounded body of a horse may be concurrently engaged by the spur and the knee of a rider thereby so that the rider can better retain his balance on the horse.

[0005] In a preferred aspect of this apparatus the C shaped member has a rear and horse side portion having upright slots there around to grip a horse. These upright slots have a width which is sufficient to grip hair on a horse, but which is insufficient to grab and tear skin on a horse.

[0006] Various other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGURES OF THE INVENTION

[0007]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a spur worn on a left boot.

[0008]FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a spur similar to that shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment of the invention a soft plastic cover is used for gripping a horse.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a spur, used for show purposes, which is adapted to light up when a horse is engaged.

[0010] The following is a discussion and description of the preferred specific embodiments of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It should be noted that such discussion and description is not meant to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Turning now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 we have a plan view of a spur 20 worn on a left boot 18. Most basically the slip on spur comprises: a U shaped boot contacting member 22 sized to fit closely around the boot, said U shaped member having a rear and horse side portion 21; and, a C shaped horse contacting member 24 having opposite ends attached to the C shaped member 22 and having a central portion substantially spaced and extending outwardly from the rear and horse side portion 21 of the U shaped member 22. A crescent shaped plate 30 is attached to the round bar to fill the opening between the U shaped member 22 and the C shaped member 24. With this arrangement the rounded body of a horse may be concurrently engaged by the spur 20 and the knee of a rider so that the rider can better retain his balance on the horse.

[0012] Most preferably both the C and U shaped members lie in a horizontal plane and said C shaped member has a rear and horse side portion 21 having upright slots 26 there around to grip a horse. The upright cuts 26 have a width which is sufficient to grip hair on a horse, but which is insufficient to grab and tear skin on a horse. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention upwardly extending loops 28 are affixed to opposite end portions of the U shaped member 22 for strapping the spur 20 to the boot 18. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention the U and C shaped members are made from a ¼″ diameter round bar and the loops 28 are made from a ⅛″ diameter round bar.

[0013]FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a spur 20 similar to that shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment of the invention a soft plastic cover 32 covers the covers a rear and horse side portion 21 of the C shaped member 21. When a soft plastic cover 32 is used, then it is not necessary to employ upright slots 26 to grip hair on a horse. It is further noted that when a soft plastic cover 32 is possible to grip hair on a horse then the entire spur may be made of plastic.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a spur 20, used for show purposes, which is adapted to light up when a horse is engaged. When the plate 30 is attached to an upper side portion of the U and C shaped members 22,24 then the spur 20 is readily adaptable for controlled illumination. A micro switch 46 can be attached to and beneath the plate 30. This micro switch 46 is closed when a plunger 50 which extends outwardly through the C shaped member 22 engages a horse. In addition to the micro switch 46 the circuit additionally has a light bulb 42 attached to an outer side portion of the U shaped member 42, and a battery 44 which most preferably is replaceably held in a battery holder 45. Most preferably there are three light bulbs 42 which are secured in reflectors 48 attached to the U shaped member 22.

[0015] A method of constructing an equestrian spur 22 adapted to slip on over a boot 18 comprises the following steps: forming a U shaped boot contacting member 22 sized to fit closely around the boot 18, said U shaped member having a rear and horse side portion 21; and, forming a C shaped horse contacting member 24; attaching opposite ends of the C shaped member 24 to the U shaped member 22 so that a central portion of the C shaped member 24 is substantially spaced and extends outwardly from the rear and horse side portion 21 of the U shaped member 22. Then the rounded body of a horse may be concurrently engaged by the spur 20 and the knee of a rider so that the rider can better retain his balance on a horse.

[0016] While the invention has been described with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims. 

I claim: 1) An equestrian spur adapted to slip on over a boot comprising: a U shaped boot contacting member sized to fit closely around the boot, said U shaped member having a rear and horse side portion; and, a C shaped horse contacting member having opposite ends attached to the C shaped member and having a central portion substantially spaced and extending outwardly from the rear and horse side portion of the U shaped member; so that the rounded body of a horse may be concurrently engaged by the spur and the knee of a rider so that the rider can better retain his balance on the horse. 2) A spur as in claim 1 wherein both the C and U shaped members lie in a horizontal plane and wherein said C shaped member has a rear and horse side portion having upright slots there around to grip a horse. 3) A spur as in claim 2 wherein the upright slots have a width which is sufficient to grip hair on a horse, but which is insufficient to grab and tear skin on a horse. 4) A spur as in claim 3 further comprising upwardly extending loops affixed to opposite end portions of the U shaped member for strapping the spur to the boot. 5) A spur as in claim 4 wherein the U and C shaped members are made from a round bar. 6) A spur as in claim 5 further comprising a crescent shaped plate attached to the bar to fill the opening between the U and C shaped members. 7) A spur as in claim 6 wherein the plate is attached to an upper side portion of the U and C shaped members and further comprising a circuit having a light bulb attached to an outer side portion of the U shaped member, a battery, and a switch which is attached to and beneath the plate, and which is closed when a plunger which extends outwardly through the C shaped member to engage a horse. 8) A spur as in claim 7 wherein the light bulb is secured in a reflector attached to the U shaped member and the battery is held in a battery pack. 9) A method of constructing an equestrian spur adapted to slip on over a boot comprising the following steps: forming a U shaped boot contacting member sized to fit closely around the boot, said U shaped member having a rear and horse side portion; and, forming a C shaped horse contacting member; attaching opposite ends of the C shaped member to the U shaped member so that a central portion of the C shaped member is substantially spaced and extends outwardly from the rear and horse side portion of the U shaped member; so that the rounded body of a horse may be concurrently engaged by the spur and the knee of a rider so that the rider can better retain his balance on a horse. 10) A method as in claim 1 wherein both the C and U shaped members are attached so that they lie in a horizontal plane and further comprising the step of making upright cuts in and around a rear and horse side portion of said C shaped member to grip a horse. 11) A method as in claim 10 wherein the upright cuts have a width which is sufficient to grip hair on the horse, but which is insufficient to grab and tear the skin on a horse. 12) A method as in claim 11 further comprising of providing upwardly extending loops and attaching the loops to opposite end portions of the U shaped member for strapping the spur to the boot. 13) A method as in claim 12 wherein the U and C shaped members are made from a round bar. 14) A method as in claim 13 further comprising the step of providing and attaching a crescent shaped plate d to the round bar so that the opening between the U and C shaped members is filled. 15) A method as in claim 14 wherein the plate is attached to an upper side portion of the bar and further comprising the steps of attaching a switch to and beneath the plate, providing a plunger extending outwardly through the C shaped member to close the switch when the spur engages the horse, and wiring a battery, and a light bulb which lights when the switch is pushed and held in a closed position. 16) A method as in claim 15 further comprising the step of providing and securing a cup shaped reflector to the U shaped member, and securing the light bulb in the reflector. 17) A spur as in claim 1 further comprising a soft plastic cover on a rear and horse side portion of the C shaped member to grip a horse. 